Manx woman finishes 1000 mile walking challenge a year since breast cancer diagnosis

Manx Newscast

This time last year Manx resident Helen Newbery noticed an 'unusual bump' in her breast.

A regular walker and four-time finisher of the Parish Walk, Helen put it down to inflammation from a sports bra she'd been wearing during a recent 100-mile trek along the South Downs Way.

However, after a month without change, a visit to the doctors revealed she had two types of breast cancer.

Between August 2023 and January 2024 Helen endured several rounds of chemotherapy, multiple radiotherapy sessions, and a bilateral mastectomy.

In February, just a month after surgery, she decided to try and get back to her pre-cancer fitness levels and challenged herself to walk 1000 miles to raise money for the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group.

So far, via her JustGiving page, she's raised £13,000 for the charity.

Helen says: 'The Breast Clinic at Nobles Hospital, Isle of Man, is supported by the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group. This charity has raised millions of pounds since it was formed in 2012 and now, as I come to the end of my treatment, I would like to add to those millions in some small way.'

After ringing the bell at the top of Slieau Freoaghane, signalling the end of her challenge, Helen sat down with Manx Radio to talk about the impact of this last year on her and why she now wants to set up a new walk and talk group for anyone going through the same thing.